Stadsbor: urbana aktörer, subjektiv interaktionism och social neurovetenskap i tidigmedeltidens Sigtuna och Nyköping

In Swedish historical archaeology, studies of towns have diverged from definition to deconstruction. In landscape studies the existence of occasional similar expressions of power in rural contexts as in towns is stressed. Another observation is that towns can display vague forms of urbanity, with lack of dense settlement and varied economy, as well as showing agrarian affiliations. A focus on singular power functions in the landscape and vagueness of urban spaciality have led to definitions such as “urbanities”, with connotations to urban functions in non-urban contexts. Instead of using “urbanities” as a basis for the terminology, the article argues that the constant variable was the maintenance of power with its material discourse in the landscape. As such, towns were only one structure among others, but a creation with special social and cultural content. Deconstructing the urban phenomenon does not strengthen research on towns. Since the 1990’s, a need for writing an urban social history has been stressed. However, analyses still show strong structuralist tendencies and superficial interpretations. The article advocates a higher definition for artefact studies, spatial patterning, comparative studies in- and between towns, as well as socio-psychological perspectives on a face-to-face level to make the intentions operational. Social perspectives emanating from subjective interactionism and social neuroscience are brought forward as possible tools for interpret and understand group creation or community buildning. Case studies from Sigtuna and Nyköping on coeval artisan activities in building plots and cultural contrasts in urban culture due to different trade interfaces are used as examples.